Immutable Levels of Priority:
Totally Scientific System of Things Getting Done

20 questions to ask when setting priorities

1. Is something actively on fire?
2. If I ignore it, will it burst into flames later?
3. Is my boss hovering like a caffeinated hawk?
4. Is someone pacing because I haven’t finished?
5. Does it involve grownup toys?
6. Will the project's planner peaceably parley?
7. Are roles and ownership clearly defined?
8. Does this task align with my strengths or goals?
9. Can I reassign it to someone else as a “growth opportunity”?
10. Can I talk long enough in a meeting that it disappears?
11. Can I delegate it?
12. Can I delete it?
13. Can I deny it?
14. If it explodes, can I say, “Huh. That’s odd”?
15. If it's supposed to explode, will they notice it didn't?
16. Can someone else plausibly be blamed if it isn’t done?V
17. Will it affect my unemployment claim if I lose my job not doing it?
18. Will I enjoy it?
19. Is it the slightest bit interesting?
20. Do I actually care?

See also FSFE-1: Framework for Systematic Failure Expectation